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UML Tools

 
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Does the 'Pragmatic Programmer...' book cover anything on UML Tool comparisons? I was wondering how the UML tools from Rational and Together compare? What is the best value for a small shop needing a UML tool?
 
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FWIW, I think the Together tool is superior to Rational, but I don't regularly use either one.
The best UML tool, IMHO, is the whiteboard.
Printing whiteboards are nice, but pricey. A fine -- and very portable -- substitute is a digital camera. There's a product called "Whiteboard Photo" (www.pixid.com) that turns your poorly lit, off-axis pitcure of a whiteboard into a fine diagram suitable for distribution (well, probably not in the annual report, but certainly acceptable for the rest of the development team). Plus, you can use the camera to capture flip charts, or blackboards, or even a napkin :-)
I know it sounds heretical to say use a whiteboard instead of a fancy (or expensive) tool, but the real question is: what do you want out of the tool?
If you want low-level diagrams of every jot and tittle from every class, then the tools will do just fine. If you want to represent an abstract "sense" of the code or the project, then the tool vendor's reverse-engineering technology comes up short.
It can't decipher intent, not yet at least.
So I guess the real question is, what do you want the tool to do for you?
(Note: I have no financial connection to any of the companies mentioned)
/\ndy
 
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Originally posted by Andy Hunt:
FWIW, I think the Together tool is superior to Rational, but I don't regularly use either one.
The best UML tool, IMHO, is the whiteboard.
Printing whiteboards are nice, but pricey.
/\ndy


Andy,
Are you talking about the Together Whiteboard (its a freely distributed part of the complete Together package I believe).
Note: I am not associated with Together tools either!
Sanjeev
P.S. I like the digital camera idea though...
 
Mike Cunningham
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We have used whiteboarding in the past. Since we are between projects, I was evaluating our development practices and trying to determine what tools &/or practices we can integrate to put the next project in production faster.
 
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i think he is not talking about togetherj , whiteboard edition. Andy is talking about whiteboards ( physical , solid state ) in your office.On which you can write & rub. Change management easy , no , Sir Andy.

where you have seen , Pixid thing ? I really liked the idea. Great. In one day , I am getting lessons over lessons full of wisdom.
Your Friednly Bartender
Shailesh.
 
Andy Hunt
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Originally posted by shailesh sonavadekar:
[B] i think he is not talking about togetherj , whiteboard edition. Andy is talking about whiteboards ( physical , solid state ) in your office. On which you can write & rub


Quite right. I think a future book could be "Better Project Managment Through Office Supplies". You can get a LOT more done with PostIt notes, index cards, whiteboards and markers than you might think -- they are low friction. You can concentrate on your ideas, and generating ideas rather than fighting with the tool.


Great. In one day , I am getting lessons over lessons full of wisdom.


Well, gosh, thanks! We try. Tell all your friends!
/\ndy
 
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I've been very happy with Rhapsody Modeler which can be downloaded from http://www.ilogix.com/modeler. It's free.
 
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I tried the link for Rhapsody Modeler - it works better without the period at the end - http://www.ilogix.com/modeler
[This message has been edited by Stan Gosfriend (edited June 05, 2001).]
 
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